Eliminate MNT – The Next World-Wide Service Project

Eliminate MNT
Eliminate MNT – The Next World-Wide Service Project

At International Convention last year, it was announced that MNT would be the next WSP (world-wide service project).  With the success of Kiwanis (working with UNICEF) in virtually eliminating Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), Kiwanis clubs around the world will be embarking on a new challenge: immunizing millions of women and newborns to prevent painful deaths from maternal/neonatal tetanus.  We will once again show the world that Kiwanis truly is Serving the Children of the World.

I will be attending training on May 5-7 to become a District Chair for the Eliminate program.  If you are interested in more information about the program or how you can get involved, please contact me at patrick.ewing@shaw.ca

For more Eliminate information, click here. 

Yours in service,

Patrick Ewing
2010-2011 Immediate Past Governor

Chicken Legs Goes to Williams Lake BC!

Zone Conferences
Chicken Legs Goes to Williams Lake BC!

On April 2nd, 2009/10 Governor Patrick “Chicken Legs” Ewing attended the Zone M Conference in Williams Lake BC.  He had asked Governor Frank for the opportunity to attend this conference on his behalf so that he could personally thank attendees for their positive membership growth in 2009/10.  As he promised to do for any Zone that had positive growth, he wore a chicken costume and posed for pictures.  He also talked about the May Recruitment Campaign, Service Leadershp Programs, Kiwanis Foundations, District Convention, Eliminate MNT, and the Zone Conference proposal.  Big thanks to Lt. Governor Roger Parkes for organizing the session and to all who attended the conference.

Note: This year, “chicken is going to ham”:  there was positive membership growth in Zones H, A, and M last year, so look for “chicken legs” (and head and feet) at upcoming Zone Conferences in Vancouver WA (Zone H) and Anchorage AK (Zone A).

Yours in service,

Patrick Ewing
2010-2011 Immediate Past Governor

Year-End Message

Year-End Message
Thank You for a Great Year, and for
Showing How Much WE LOVE TO SERVE!

At midnight on the evening of September 30^th, I made the traditional phone call to Governor Frank Morehouse to wish him a great year.  This has been a whirl-wind adventure for me – challenging and rewarding, but also fleeting.  With my year as Governor over, I would like to share just a few of our district’s achievements this year:

In Las Vegas, we elected Sylvester Neal as our International President for 2010-2011 – the first International President in many years to be an active member of our District.  While he has been busy with duties outside the district, he continues to attend many club and district events in the Pacific Northwest.  

Our District has been lucky enough to get great support from our other international leaders, too.  Our 2009-2010 International President, Paul Palazzolo, visited Vernonia OR, Portland OR, Couer d’Alene ID, and Victoria BC in November and McMinnville OR in September.  Our 2009-2010 International Counselor, Randy Delay, made a number of visits, including the 2010 Lt. Governor Training Session.  Our 2010-2011 International Counselor, Johnny Johnson, visited our District Convention.  And 2008-2009 International President Don Canaday visited our Midwinter Conference and our District Convention, including building a club in Airway Heights.  Don not only got his start in Fairbanks AK but is also now a member of PNW’s internet club, Cascadia Kiwanis.

We built four new Kiwanis Clubs: Vernonia OR, Black Diamond-Maple Valley WA, Troutdale OR, and Airway Heights WA.  We launched the Re-Charter Program (for clubs under 25 members) as well as a host of growth awards and fun challenges, such as getting a chance to “Dunk the Governor”.  While we didn’t manage to achieve net growth, we had very strong growth for much of the year, achieving net growth of 45 members per month for about half the year.  We have started to turn our membership numbers around, but the job isn’t done.  I will be continuing to serve as leader of the Membership Team so we can achieve positive growth in 2010-2011.

This year we launched an exciting new fundraising program called the Kiwanis Decal Program, which has the potential to help clubs raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for children and youth while also raising tens of thousands of dollars for the District (see www.pnwkiwanis.org for details). 

My Governor’s Project, Project K-9, was well-received, and I would like to thank all the clubs that participated.  While the projects may have involved therapy dogs, assistance dogs, rescue dogs, police dogs, dog shelters, or off-leash parks, they ultimately benefited children, families, seniors and the disabled, too.  This project also provided a way for people who love dogs to discover Kiwanis.

We approved a dues increase which will put the District on a solid financial footing for the next five years.  We also reviewed how our organization is funded and sent two proposals to the Kiwanis International Board that – if approved – could actually reduce the cost of membership.  The first proposal, made by the Board of Trustees, would acknowledge that a portion of our dues are used for service aims, and allow clubs to pay that portion from that service account.  The second, made by the House of Delegates, would allow clubs to use up to 10% of their fundraising efforts for administrative purposes.

Our District Convention in Spokane was a huge success.  We collected books and raised funds for a school on a tribal reserve in Spokane.  We also held the first annual Outreach Reception and – thanks in part to a very generous donation from the Vernon Four Seasons Club – raised more than $10,000 to support our Service Leadership Programs.  We had an amazing fireworks display, a dunk tank and midway, a salmon barbecue, a service fair, and much, much more.

But probably the most important thing that this District did was return its focus to having fun and providing service.  Our District Team – Lt. Governors and District Chairs – brought enthusiasm and a positive attitude, making it a joy to serve.  We came together as a team, in the true spirit of Kiwanis, and worked together for the good of our clubs.  I am profoundly grateful to these men and women for their selfless dedication to this District.

I would like to thank all the members and club leaders who continue to represent all that is embodied in the Kiwanis Objects.  For the children, seniors, and all the other lives you have touched this past year, thank you for making time to make a difference.

I was just 38 when elected to serve as Governor-Elect.  These past two years have helped me grow as a leader and provided countless opportunities to spend time with Kiwanians from Fairbanks AK to Weed CA and many places in between.  Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve as your Governor, and I look forward to continuing to serve this district in other capacities.

Yours in service,

Patrick Ewing
2009-2010 Governor

Lt. Governor/Chair Training

Upcoming Events:

June 12, 2010 – Charter Party, Kiwanis Club of Black Diamond/Maple Valley WA (Division 32)
June 19, 2010 – Wedding of Patrick Ewing and Kristina Thalacker (Victoria BC)
June 23-26, 2010 – International Convention (Las Vegas NV)

June 2-6, 2010
The Class of 2010/11 Goes to School
Governor-Elect Frank Morehouse hosted training for his team: the 2010/11 District Chairs and the 2010/11 Class of Lt. Governors.  He worked closely with his excellent training team (Pamela Smith, Claudell King, and Dan Ver Heul) and our outstanding District Office staff (Cleve, Gary, and Rebecca), all of whom invested many, many hours to ensure a positive educational experience for every attendee.

We were very lucky to have International Counsellor Randy Delay attend the training session and provide insights and encouragement; has been a truly excellent trustee.  While Key Club Governor Caitlin Snaring unfortunately had to send her regrets, Governor Alan Lo dropped in to represent CKI, along with past CKI Governor (and current Kiwanian) Helen Mak.  I attended as Frank’s Team Leader for the Membership Team as well as to show my support for Frank and his coming year as Governor.

The training session was held at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, which keeps costs low, encourages more social interaction, and serves as a great example of what can be achieved when Kiwanis clubs work together.  It started out a soggy week, but the enthusiasm of the attendees was ignited, not dampened, by the experience.  The sun and blue sky that emerged on Saturday gave us new energy, and the graduation ceremony and dinner at Timberline Lodge made the weekend complete. 

We have great Lieuteannt Governors and District Chairs this year, and from this past week it looks like next year’s team will be just as positive, dedicated, and enthusiastic.  Many times we fail to truly appreciate just how lucky we are to have such great leaders as these in our organization, willing to invest their time and energy to help club leaders be successful.  The pay is non-existant; all we can say to them, and to all the club leaders and members serving in their local communities:  

“Thank you for everything you do; thank you for making time to make a difference.”

Exploring the Land of the Midnight Sun

May 16-26, 2010
Land of the Midnight Sun

First Lady Kristina and I very much enjoyed touring our most northern region, Zone A, which consists of Alaska and the Yukon Territory.  The tour was 1,300 miles, though, so we were thankful to have Pamela and Greg Smith to help share the driving and keep the conversation going on those long drives!

Anchorage is a beautiful city, and Kristina and I had a couple of days to explore, including a drive from Anchorage to Portage that every PNW member should do at least once in their lifetime.  On Tuesday, May 18^th, we attended a special guest meeting in Anchorage which featured a motivational speaker. 

The next day we drove to Fairbanks where we helped the Borealis Club with a service project at a local rescue mission.  Borealis is a very hands-on club, and often holds a work party rather than a club meeting during the warmer months of the year.  Knowing how limited my skills are in construction, Kristina was amused to watch me on top of one of two large steel containers, helping to install roof trusses that would provide storage and working space for the mission’s recycling program (a fundraising activity of the mission).  I believe it is important in a service organization like ours to show that leaders are volunteers to, and equally willing to roll up our sleeves and pitch in, no matter how unskilled we are.  We did get the trusses up — despite my assistance!

On Thursday we drove to Beaver Creek, just 25 or so kilometres past the Alaska/Yukon border.  Beaver Creek is a small town of about 85, but it hosts many tourists in the summer.  Part of the reason for holding the Alaska/Yukon conference there was to establish a club satellite of the Whitehorse Club (the manager of the main hotel in Beaver Creek is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Whitehorse).  The location also provided an opportunity to do a service project at the border crossing, where we did some maintenance work on (and around) a Canada/US goodwill border monument that had been erected by Kiwanis.

The Zone Conference itself was a lot of fun, including a show (Beaver Creek Rendezvous), a contest to come up with the best “beaver” song, a variety of fundraising activities, as well as a variety of educational sessions. 

A highlight of the event was installing three members of the club satellite, which I was honoured to do.  We had a second service project, cleaning up garbage on the main road.  Our activities attracted the attention of the local police, who pulled over to find out just what we were doing.  He was puzzled why people from as far away as Victoria BC and Seattle WA were picking up garbage in Beaver Creek; we made an impression, so maybe he’ll become a member too!

Our circle tour of Alaska and a piece of the Yukon was a great experience.  We saw bears, moose, elk, trumpeter swans, and other local wildlife.  With just a month to go before summer solstice we didn’t see much darkness while we were there, but we got to spend quality time with wonderful Kiwanians from the land of the midnight sun.

Discovering Aktion Country

May 15, 2010
“Aktion Country” Welcomes PNW Aktion Members

Spokane hosted the 2010 Pacific Northwest District Conference for Aktion Club, the organization for adults whose developmental disabilities are not barriers to providing service to their communities. Members attended from throughout the Pacific Northwest, including from clubs that had never attended a district conference before. This was my second Aktion conference and only the 4th to be held in the Pacific Northwest.

Some of the workshop topics were fire prevention, Sleeping Children Around the World, Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN), and the humane society.  Social activities included karaoke, riding Spokane’s carousel, and a live band. Attendees received great conference T-shirts as well as photographs of themselves in front of the conference banner.

District Administrator Lee Chic reported that the attendees’ evaluations were very positive. I would like to commend her and her conference planning team for putting on a great event, and the sponsors and advisors/support workers who helped make it possible for so many Aktion members to attend.

The Iron Butt Marathon

March 31 – April 4, 2010
The Iron Butt Marathon or
The Importance of Leaving Home Part II

As mentioned in a previous post, over several days around the Easter long weekend, First Lady Kristina and I travelled over 800 miles touring central Washington State, including visits to Maple Valley WA, Richland WA, Ephrata WA, and Wenatchee WA.

More recently, over a period of 10 days (April 16-25), Kristina and I (with First Dog Sasha) drove over 1,800 miles making 15 official visits to Kiwanis Clubs in western Oregon and other locations in the southwest section of the Pacific Northwest. Official visits included Zone Conferences in Vancouver WA and Yreka CA; “meet and greets” in Ilwaco/Long Beach WA, Tillamook OR, and Lincoln City OR; club visits in Salem OR, Corvallis OR, Florence OR, and Springfield OR; a 20th anniversary party in Fern Ridge-Veneta OR; a dinner in Weed CA; and other stops to tour Kiwanis projects (Astoria OR, Warrenton OR, Seaside OR).

Later in May Kristina and I will be flying to Anchorage and then driving to Fairbanks AK and Beaver Creek YT, for two official visits and a  Zone Conference.  This Alaska/Yukon trip works out to over 1,400 miles of driving once the drive to SeaTac is factored in, and that doesn’t include all the miles in the air.

Just for these three trips alone (three trips out of many), Kristina and I will travel over 4,000 miles driving. Sometimes I refer to being Governor as the Iron Butt Marathon – reflecting many hours and many long miles on the road. I enjoy travelling to places, but I will admit there are times – such when I’m in a long line at the border or when I miss a ferry – when I just wish I had a teleporter that would transport me home at the end of each visit.

Despite the many miles, the fact is that I enjoy getting out and meeting with Kiwanis members throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is the people who make this organization what it is, and they are wonderful. Whether it’s the song-writing, guitar playing, president of the Western Hills-Corvallis club, the club delegate who takes me aside at Zone Conference to tell me about their Governor’s Project activity, or the new members I get to install, it is a joy to meet with the good men and women of Kiwanis. As I travel I provide information about district initiatives and answers to their questions, but more importantly I offer my thanks and appreciation for all their service to their club, their members, and their communities.

My goals for the visits this year (and in my years as Governor-Elect and as Governor-Elect candidate) have been to educate, encourage and inspire, and to bring the District a little closer to clubs and divisions throughout the district. Governor-Elect Frank Morehouse shares my goals, and has been travelling the district extensively as well.

I am very proud of this district and its members. The attitude of members and clubs is almost universally positive. While there are challenges (such as growing our membership), there is also great pride in our organization and a wealth of terrific new and continuing service projects that truly are making a difference for children, for seniors, for the disabled, for the disadvantaged, for families, and – yes – even for dogs, right here in our beautiful Pacific Northwest.  It is an honor to serve you as Governor, and a privilege to visit with you in all parts of this great district.

Touring Central Washington

March 31 – April 4, 2010
The Importance of Leaving Home

On Wednesday March 31st, Kristina and I set out on a 800+ mile circle tour of Washington State.  We spent Thursday recruiting for a club that is being built in Maple Valley/Black Diamond by the very dedicated New Club Builder Rita Schroeder.   We spent Friday in the Tri-Cities – a lunch at the Tri-Cities Industry club that was very well-attended by clubs in the area.  Late that day, Lt. Governor Jerry Greenfield and his wife Corky hosted a small gathering at their home.  On Saturday, Kristina and I headed up to Ephrata to meet with clubs in the area, in conjunction with an Easter Egg Hunt.  Our last stop was in Wenatchee, where Lt. Governor Janice Irle, Convention 2012 Chair Margie Wilson and Division 52 hosted a meet-and-greet.  After the meet-and-greet, Kristina and I sold programs at the Wenatchee Wild hockey game (a fundraiser for the Governor’s Project) before sitting down to watch the game (the Wild won).  We made it home on Sunday evening.  I had been suffering a miserable cold since leaving Victoria, but luckily Easter Monday was a holiday for me so I had a day to recover.  Despite the many hours of driving and all the typical cold symptoms, it was a tremendously positive experience.  Kristina and I would like to thank everyone who was so kind to us, who opened their homes and made us feel so welcome.

We have a big district, and it is a near impossible task to see it all, especially when working full time.  I was reminded on this trip how important it is for leaders to take time to get out and meet with the people they have been elected to represent.  No amount of email exchanges can take the place of meeting with people in their own communities.  While I cannot visit every club in the district, or every town, by the end of this Kiwanis year I will have visited a large cross-section of this district – from as far north as Fairbanks Alaska to as far south as Yreka CA and as far east as Coeur D’Alene ID.

When it comes to visits from leaders, the Pacific Northwest has been particularly fortunate this year.  We have seen multiple visits from International President Paul Palazzolo, International President-Elect Sylvester Neal, Immedia Past International President Don Canaday, and International Trustee Randy Delay.  I know I and many others in our District appreciate their leadership and their willingness to travel long distances to support the efforts of Kiwanians throughout the Pacific Northwest.

A Full Kiwanis Family Day

March 20, 2010
Zone G in Kent WA

While Governor-Elect Frank Morehouse attended the Zone E Conference  in Mt. Vernon, I attended the Zone G Conference in Kent.   The Kent Seniors’ Center was packed with attendees, and a highlight was a presentation by five members (two of the canine variety) of Guide Dogs of the Desert, an organization that trains assistance dogs for people who are legally blind. 

PNW CKI “BTR” in Seattle WA

I was able to sit in on a portion of the new/old Board Training Retreat for PNW CKI known as “BTR” (pronounced “beater”).  PNW CKI has lost several clubs over the years, and I spoke with Governor-designate Alan Lo about the possibility of establishing a “10 Most Wanted” list of locations to target for building (or re-building) CKI clubs. 

After the meeting ended, First Lady Kristina and I went roller-skating with the CKI members (which was fun but demonstrated that I am uncoordinated enough on shoes, let alone skates!) before joining some other Kiwanians at a party Jim Nannery was hosting.

Zone Conferences Start

March 13, 2010
Zone Conference Season Begins

The Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International does not have one mid-year conference but 13 regional conferences.  The full schedule of Zone Conferences is posted online.

While Governor-Elect Frank Morehouse represented the District at McMinnville OR, I represented the District at Tacoma WA.  Our presentations at the Zone Conferences focus on:

• Governor’s Theme (We Love to Serve) and Governor’s Project (Project K-9);
• Growth Incentives (traditional ones such as banner patches and new fun ones too);
• May Membership Campaign information and membership growth resources;
• Information about issues that will be addressed at District Convention, including bylaw amendments and a dues-related resolution; and
• A new Kiwanis Decal Fundraiser that will help clubs raise funds for youth-related service projects.

The Zone Conference in Tacoma featured International President-Elect Sylvester Neal, past Kiwanis International CEO Rob Parker, Area Director Jim Courtright, and several break-out sessions on a variety of Kiwanis-related topics.

Next week (March 20, 2010), I will be in Kent WA to attend the Zone G Conference (followed by attending the PNW CKI Board Training Retreat in Seattle), while Frank will be representing the district at the Zone E Conference in Mt. Vernon WA.

Midwinter Launches New Initiatives – and an Engagement

March 5-7, 2010
Midwinter Conference in Bellingham WA Highlights Membership Recruitment, International Convention, and Dues Issues

Midwinter Conference 2010 had many high points including:

• Several presentations on the nuts and bolts of recruiting for new or existing clubs, as told by Immediate Past International President Don Canaday, received rave reviews from attendees;
• Hearing from International President-Elect Sylvester Neal and an outing to the Silver Reef Casino and Resort were highlights of our On to International Convention evening, as Kiwanians were encouraged to attend the International Convention in Las Vegas for Sylvester’s installation as International President.
• The May Membership Campaign was revealed and the Kiwanis Decal Fundraiser was officially launched, with the first decals made available for attendees to purchase (see below for more).
• Candidacy speeches from Governor-Elect candidates Pamela Smith and Claudell King.
• A personal highlight was when First Lady Kristina Thalacker said “Of course!” when I proposed to her in front of more than 100 Kiwanian friends at Saturday’s lunch session; we will be getting married on June 19, 2010.

The Board considered a large number of proposed policy and bylaw changes that had been forwarded by the Executive and Finance Committees.   The proposed Bylaw changes will be published online for clubs to see in advance of District Convention in Spokane WA; at the convention, the House of Delegates will vote on all of the Bylaw changes approved by the District, as well as any bylaw changes submitted by clubs.   Please make sure that your club is well-represented at District Convention (August 26-29, 2010).

In light of continuing pressures on District finances (in large part due to declining membership), a number of steps have been taken that could help ease the pressure on clubs’ administration accounts and to bolster the finances of the district.  Actions that could help bolster clubs’ administration accounts include:

• Service Component of District/International Fees: A resolution, passed by the PNW District Board, asks Kiwanis International to allow (but not require) clubs to pay the service-destined portion of their District and International per-member fees (sometimes described as dues) from their service accounts.  While clubs distinguish between service and administration funds as part of their own financial accounting, the PNW District and Kiwanis International do not.   The resolution calls on Kiwanis International to identify how much of the funds it receives from clubs is destined to support service aims – such as supporting Service Leadership Programs, Kiwanis Foundations, or the Worldwise Service Project. 
• 10% Option to Fundraisers:  A second resolution, forwarded by the PNW District Board for consideration by the House of Delegates, would ask Kiwanis International to allow clubs to use up to 10% of their fundraising proceeds to be used to support administrative purposes.  The resolution points to the widespread and accepted use of public funds by charities and non-profits to pay for the cost of the organizations (typically in the 30% range).  Currently, not a single penny of the net proceeds of Kiwanis fundraisers can be used for administrative purposes, which means members shoulder 100% of the cost of the organization.  This is a sensitive issue for many clubs, and it will only be taken to Kiwanis International for its consideration if supported by the House of Delegates in Spokane.

Last year, the 2008/09 PNW DistrictBoard had to carve out $40,000 in cuts to address lost revenue (primarily due to reduced membership).  This represented an equivalent of $4 per member.  The 2009/10 PNW District Board has approved several measures to address the District’s financial pressures, including:

• Expansion of the Membership Team:  The Membership Team was expanded at Midwinter Conference to include Zone Membership Growth Chairs, volunteer leaders who will help with new club building and will help clubs within their regions improve recruitment and retention.  Improving clubs’ membership numbers is vital to bolstering the finances of the district.
• Building Purchase: At the Kiwanis-Family Conference, the Board authorized the purchase of a building for the District Office, subject to certain conditions.  While the right opportunity has not yet presented itself, many on the Board recognized the value of paying our own mortgage rather than someone else’s, benefitting from the appreciation that real estate is likely to take after the recent decline, as well as the opportunity to rent excess space to other tenants in order to offset costs.
• Kiwanis Decal Fundraiser: At the Kiwanis-Family Conference, the Board also approved the Kiwanis Decal fundraising project.  Kiwanis Decals – which allow businesses to associate themselves with the good name of Kiwanis and which come with a subscription to the Builder Magazine - retail for $100.  With a club profit of about $80 per decal, this project has the potential to raise tens of thousands of dollars for clubs’ youth-related projects.  The District’s proceeds in selling the decals to clubs ($20 each when clubs buy 5 at a time) will help address cost pressures within the District.  For more information, contact the District Office.
• Dues Increase:  The Board at Midwinter Conference approved a schedule of $2 annual district per-member fee (dues) increases over a five-year period in order to offset inflationary pressures.  The increases – equivalent to half a cent per day – will be assessed to clubs, and clubs can decide how how of that to pass on to their members when setting Club Dues.  The increases will be suspended if membership increases past 12,000 members.

Midwinter Conference was a very full weekend, and was  a great success thanks to your Lt. Governors, District Chairs, and others who volunteer their time to serve on committees, as well as our three District Office staff members who contributed many long hours on evenings and weekends to ensuring a quality experience for attendees. 

I would urge every club to:

1. Attend their Zone Conferences to get more information on District initiatives;
2. Hold a Membership Campaign in May using this easy-to-follow guide (pdf format);
3. Use the Kiwanis Decal program to raise funds for Service Leadership Programs, Young Children: Priority One projects, or Youth Services programs;
4. Attend International Convention 2010 in Las Vegas, and educate yourself about the issues and candidates for office; and
5. Attend District Convention 2010 in Spokane, educate yourself about the issues and candidates for office, and bring a display board abour your club’s best project for the Service Fair.

Passing the Torch

February 26-28, 2010
PNW Key Club Winter Board in Dupont WA

Dupont was once again the location for the outgoing Key Club District Board (the “outties”) to train the income Lt. Governors (“the innies”).  It was also an opportunity to put final touches on the Key Club Convention, which has been almost a year in the planning.  Governor Sophia Vo is tremendously organized, and presided over the joint board of more than 100 high school students.   Next year’s Governor and other officers will be elected in March, but whoever is elected will already have a trained team of Lt. Governors ready to serve.

Kiwanis was there too, but in a supportive role: Administrator John Jay, Assistant Administrator Suzanne Endroedy, several faculty/club/area advisors and chaperones, as well as a handful of invaluable members of the Silverdale Club (such as Roy and Edna Meyers) who provided the meals for all the Key Club members and guests.   John, Suzanne and I were given opportunities to address the Board, but there is no doubt that Key Club is a student-led organization.  John and Suzanne made sure all the students have transportation to and from the event, provided counsel when asked, and ensured that Key Club members were behaving and following Key Club rules were being followed, but they leave leadership to Governor Sophia and the many outstanding young leaders who serve on her Board.

Seattle Hosts PNW “DCON”

February 19-21, 2010
PNW CKI Convention in Seattle WA

People who grumble about “Kids today…” have probably never been to a CKI Convention.  CKI may be smaller than Key Club or Kiwanis in terms of membership, but they have great passion and enthusiasm, and the potential to make this world better for their commitment.  We have many colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest where students are denied the opportunity to join CKI or earn CKI scholarships – perhaps you can be the one to build a new CKI club in your area!

The PNW CKI Convention was held under the shadow of the Space Needle, and members had opportunities not just to learn and take part in the business of the district but also sight-see.  While some chose to go up the tower, I took the opportunity to ride the bumper cars with two other CKI alumni: First Lady Kristina and CKI alum Jason Cammarano.

I have truly enjoyed working with 2009/10 Governor Cale Middleton and his Board.  He attended the full Lt. Governor training session at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp last May, and I have attended almost every one of his Board meetings – even if only for a few hours.  Everyone who attended the Kiwanis Family Conference in October had an opportunity to get to know him a little better when I interviewed Cale and Key Club Governor Sophia Vo.   Cale is serious when he needs to be, but is also able to laugh at himself.   While PNW CKI didn’t reach all of of its goals this past year, they have a number of things of which they can be proud, including racking up a huge number of service hours.  Great convention, and great job, “outties”!

The CKI selected a new Governor and Board for 2010/11.  Governor-Designate Alan Lo is quirky and outgoing at district events – such as choosing someone to sing to in front of all the attendees – but from what I’ve seen he also works hard behind the scenes, supporting others.   While Cale’s Governor’s Project involved working with teens, Alan’s Governor’s Project involves working with the disabled.  Alan shares Cale’s commitment to the success of this district, and I look forward to working with Alan and his Board this year. 

The saddest part of the weekend was the graduation ceremony, when so many wonderful CKI members accepted their graduation medallions from the Kiwanis Club of Cascadia.  The Cascadia Club was created as a district-wide internet-based Kiwanis Club, and one of its first projects was providing these medallions.   While it is wonderful to honor these young people for their service to their campus and community, it is also sad to know that they will not be continuing as CKI members.  I hope that many will join a Kiwanis Club wherever they land after graduation, and in doing so continue to support our great Service Leadership Programs.

Regional Governors Conference

February 5-7, 2010
Western Governors Meet in Las Vegas

Western (and several Eastern) Governors from Canada and the United States met with President Paul Palazzolo, and the main two focuses were (1) building new clubs and (2) promoting a focused membership growth campaign in May.  

Governors were challenged to contact as many people about new club building as possible over the space of about 2 hours.  Thanks to assistance from David Evans and others, PNW was the district that had the best results.  The challenge will be turning those results into new clubs before the International Convention!

Victoria-area Kiwanis clubs came to help celebrate, including several members of the University of Victoria CKI Club (which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Victoria).  Letters of congratulations were received from me (as Governor), International Trustee Randy Delay, International President Paul Palazzolo, the Mayor, and the Prime Minister.  It was a very pleasant evening for all.

My First Lady, Kristina Thalacker, was my Las Vegas tour guide on the Thursday and Friday before the formal sessions started.  Whether you gamble or not, there is certainly lots to experience in Las Vegas, including magic, music, or comedy shows, or even just seeing the world through the lens of Las Vegas: Italy, Rome, Paris, New York, and more await you in Las Vegas.  We hope you will all come to Las Vegas for the International Convention in June!

Calling all Pacific Northwest CKI Alumni

January 24, 2010
Calling all Pacific Northwest CKI Alumni

The first annual meeting of the new PNW Circle K (CKI) Alumni Association will be held at the Best Western Executive Hotel, Seattle WA, on February 19‐21, 2010, in conjunction with the PNW CKI District Convention. First Lady Kristina Thalacker (EWU CKI 1992-96)  is coordinating this event. 

REGISTRATION FORMS:

PDF registration form:
http://governorpatrickewing.com/cki-alum-reg.pdf

MS Word registration form:
http://governorpatrickewing.com/cki-alum-reg.doc

Pacfic Northwest CKI Board Meeting a Success

January 24, 2010
Pacific Northwest CKI Board Meeting a Success

The Pacific Northwest District Board of CKI (Circle K International) met at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) on the weekend of January 22-24, 2010.  I attended with First Lady Kristina Thalacker, District Administrator Tom Bryant, and Assistant Administrator (Finance) Dick Rust.  Governor Cale Middleton kept the Board meeting going, combining business, team-building exercises, and fun.  The Board made plans for District Convention (February 19-21) in Seattle WA, and it’s shaping up to be a great convention!  Great job Cale and all our CKI leaders on an excellent board meeting.

Victoria Kiwanis Turns 90

January 16, 2010
Victoria Kiwanis Turns 90

On Saturday, January 16, 2010,  I attended a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Victoria BC, the 198th club in Kiwanis International.   BC’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC, was the keynote speaker.  He is the Queen’s representative in BC, and prior to becoming a provincial court judge, he was a Kiwanis member with a legal practice in Chilliwack BC!  He still has a Kiwanis heart, as he spoke of the need to address literacy challenges in remote BC communities.

Victoria-area Kiwanis clubs came to help celebrate, including several members of the University of Victoria CKI Club (which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Victoria).  Letters of congratulations were received from me (as Governor), International Trustee Randy Delay, International President Paul Palazzolo, the Mayor, and the Prime Minister.  It was a very pleasant evening for all.

Governor’s Message to Lieutenant Governors

January 14, 2010
Lieutenant Governors,

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  I would just like to offer you a few reminders/updates:

1. Zone Conferences 

• President Paul Palazzolo has asked me to encourage every Pacific Northwest club to hold a membership recruitment campaign in May.  If you would like your Zone Conference to be a full Growth Conference or if you would just like to have sessions on topics such as How to Recruit, please let me know or refer to the District Directory for the contact information of our district’s Membership Team. 
• *** Please send the registration form for your Zone Conference to the district office as soon as possible so it can be posted online. ***
• Zone Conference dates and locations can be found at http://www.pnwkiwanis.org/PNWKIResources/zoneconference.html.  I will be attending conferences for Zones A, C, D, F, G, H, and K, and Governor-Elect Frank Morehouse will be attending Zones B, E, I, J, L, and M.  Please make sure we have one hour in the morning to speak to the full body of attendees.
• As you are planning your Zone Conference, don’t forget to include equal time within a general session time for the Governor-Elect candidates to give their candidacy speeches.  If a candidate cannot attend your Zone Conference, please allow their designate the same opportunity to speak on the candidate’s behalf.

2. New Communication Tool

Cleve and I each have established blogs (web-based logs) to provide information about events and matters of interest to Kiwanians:

• Governor’s Blog (“Light a Fire”): http://pnwkiwanis.org/blog2/ (note: the latest update includes information about Haiti)
• District Secretary’s Blog: http://pnwkiwanis.org/blog1/

3. Growth Starts Now

If your division’s membership numbers are not that strong so far this year, a great way to ensure membership growth is to build a new Kiwanis club.  Please let New Club Building Chair David Evans (dave.evans@telus.net) know if you are thinking about building a club this year; he can help you get started.  Remember that there are people available to help you with all aspects of growth, including:

• New Club Building: David Evans at dave.evans@telus.net
• Recruitment: Greg Holland at hgcltd@shaw.ca
• Retention: Emil “Swede” Nyberg at emilnyberg@msn.com
• Club Satellites: Ken “Bear” Brink at brinkkd@olympus.net
• Diversity: Michele Campbell at michele91754@comcast.net
• Marketing & Public Relations: Shirley Hopper at dshopper@oregontrail.net

4. Midwinter Conference

Midwinter will be held March 5-7 in Bellingham WA – Special guest: Past International President Don Canaday will give a special presentation on the nuts and bolts of how to recruit new members (anyone who is interested is welcome to attend; details to come).  This conference will deal with a number of important issues, including: a possible dues increase, the treatment of dues and administrative funds, standing rules for House of Delegates, standing rules for Board meetings, approval of new Administrators for CKI and Builders Club (effective April 1^st), and proposed changes to the Bylaws.

5. Succession Planning

Do you know who will be leading your district next year?  Will you have candidates running for Lt. Governor and Lt. Governor-Elect?  The first Zone Conferences will be held in less than two months; don’t wait till then to start talking to Kiwanians in your division who have the leadership potential.

6. International Convention

Be sure to register before JANUARY 31^ST to get a signficant discount on your 2010 registration – http://sites.kiwanis.org/VegasICON2010/home.aspx.   Vegas is going to be a great convention!  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to cheer Sylvester Neal on as he is installed as Kiwanis International President, to elect new International officers, to find out what our next Worldwide Service Project is (could it be SIGN?), to enjoy fellowship with Kiwanians from around the globe, and to enjoy Jay Leno, Colin Powell, Jerry “The Beav” Mathers, Cirque du Soleil and much more.

7. Upcoming Meetings

• CKI District Convention – February 19-21 in Seattle WA
• Midwinter Conference – March 5-7 in Bellingham WA
• Zone Conferences – Various Dates and Locations
• Key Club District Convention – March 26-28 in SeaTac WA
• Aktion Conference – May 14-16 in Spokane WA
• Lieutenant Governor Training – June 4-6 at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp
• International Convention – June 24-27 in Las Vegas NV
• District Convention – August 26-29 in Spokane WA

8. A Final Word

I cannot thank you enough for all you are doing for Kiwanis and for your clubs.  You are true leaders in our organization – providing support and working with club officers to make sure they have the resources they need to be successful.  Participating in our District board meetings is very important to the management of this district, but where you truly shine as a leader is when you help others be successful. 

Make sure you are keeping in contact with your clubs and offer your assistance when they need it.  Encourage them to take advantage of resources and events such as Club Leadership Education and Zone Conference.  Set a good example by maintaining a positive attitude and praising others for their efforts.  Remember that you can draw on the knowledge, experience and support of our many district chairs, administrators, past Governors, and past Lt. Governors.  Show that you’re having fun and encourage your clubs to have fun with their meetings and projects.  Let’s make this a positive year, a great year to be in Kiwanis!

Yours in Service,

Patrick Ewing
2009-2010 Governor
Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International

www.pnwkiwanis.org
WE LOVE TO SERVE

Help for Haiti – Update

January 14, 2010
Help for Haiti

For clubs interested in providing assistance to those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti:

1. Kiwanis International Foundation

“Thank you for your inquiries regarding Kiwanis International Foundation disaster relief to Haiti. The Kiwanis International Foundation board is meeting this week, and this topic was discussed yesterday by its Finance Committee members.

While we no longer establish a reserve funds for specific disasters, the presidents of Kiwanis International and the Kiwanis International Foundation can act together to invite contributions to the KIF’s general disaster relief fund. Then, the foundation can vote to make a grant to the disaster in question. I believe Presidents Paul Palazzolo and Elmer Austermann will discuss this matter, and will decide if an appeal will be posted on our respective Web sites.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Haiti. Your deep concern for their welfare is deeply appreciated.

Linda Brimmer, Executive Director, Kiwanis International Foundation”

2. SIGN (Surgical Implant Generation Network)

From SIGN: 

“SIGN is preparing to travel to Haiti to treat the victims of the devastating 70 magnitude earthquake that struck Monday, January 12 [sic].   SIGN has two programs in Haiti, including one in Port-au-Prince, which suffered catastrophic damage from the quake.  The United Nations has estimated that as many as 3 million people – a third of Haiti’s population – may be in need of assistance. The people of Haiti are desperate for help and SIGN is responding. We’ll be taking large shipments of implants and other orthopaedic equipment to Port-au-Prince within a matter of days. But we need your support to meet the needs of the people. We ask for your prayers and contributions for the people of Haiti. Visit the SIGN web site today for more information www.sig n-post.org 451 Hills Street Suite B, Richland, WA 99354 509.371 1107

An article on SIGN’s involvement can be found at: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/861998.html

3. Kiwanis Foundation of Canada

The Kiwanis Foundation of Canada is partnering with UNICEF Canada in the relief effort in Haiti. A grant from our Disaster Relief Fund will be directed to UNICEF. Clubs and individual Canadians across Canada are encouraged to consider making their contributions through UNICEF also. The Government of Canada announced on January 14 that it will match the contributions of individual Canadians to this relief effort on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  More details of this UNICEF & Kiwanis Foundation of Canada joint effort will follow shortly. In the interim, we encourage all Clubs to make a commitment and direct funds through UNICEF Canada.

Chuck McIlravey, President, Kiwanis Foundation of Canada

Haiti Help

January 13, 2010
Kiwanis-Supported SIGN to Help Haiti
This email (below) was forwarded to me from SIGN Co-Chair Ralph Curran.  SIGN (the Surgical Implant Generation Network) is strongly supported in the Pacific Northwest District and is a candidate to be Kiwanis International’s next World-Wide Service Project.  If you want information on SIGN, what SIGN will be doing in Haiti, and how you can help, visit www.sign-post.org

Dear All,

Lew [Zirkle] and I have been asked to fly to Haiti this weekend to help with the disaster relief in Port au Prince. So we are cancelling our trip to Cambodia and VN in order to continue our goal for SIGN being a first responder.

To that end, we are hustling to get our equipment pulled together to get ready to go. SO if I don’t show up at the meeting today it is because I am needed back at the ranch to tie up loose ends.

Please pray for the families and injured in Haiti. As with all disasters, it is very chaotic there right now and medical help is not getting to the damaged areas due to severe traffic and communications problems.

Jeanne